Treading Water: Coming Home Part 48

"No, but he's here."

Kate wondered when he planned to make his move. The room was soon full of mothers, grandmothers and junior bridesmaids, all of whom would be escorted downstairs by a male member of the family. Kate had invited only her closest friends in the business, the members of her band and a couple of people from Long Road Records. Reid had also only invited a few friends, hoping to keep the wedding small and intimate.

As far as Kate knew, the media hadn't caught wind of the fact that they were being married today, and she hoped it stayed that way. Jill planned to release a single photo from the wedding once they were well on their way out of town.

Twenty minutes later, Buddy appeared at the door looking handsome in a dark suit with a red tie. "Wow, kid," he said when he saw her. "You clean up real good."

"Same to you," Kate said, amused by him as always. "Thanks for doing this."

"I gotta be honest, sweetheart, I feel a little weird doing something your own daddy ought to be doing, especially when he's here."

"I couldn't agree more, Buddy," Jack said from the doorway, his eyes fixed on Kate. "Would you mind if I took over?"

"Not at all," Buddy said gallantly. He kissed Kate carefully on the cheek and left her alone with her dad.

"Do not make me cry," Kate said as she blinked back tears. "No matter what you do, don't make me cry."

Das.h.i.+ngly handsome in a dark gray suit and cranberry tie, Jack laughed. "I haven't said a word."

"I know you. You're going to say something, and it will make me cry."

"I'll say only that you're stunningly beautiful, I love you and I'm happy for you-and Reid. I've waited your whole life for this moment, and there's no way in h.e.l.l anyone else is walking you down those stairs but me."

She fanned her face with her hand, fighting an epic battle against the gigantic lump in her throat.

"Are you ready?" he asked, extending his arm.

"I need a minute."

"Take all the time you need."

"Now I need a tissue."

He withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.

Kate dabbed carefully at her eyes, surrounded by the familiar scent of his cologne on the linen cloth. "Nothing you could've said or done would've made me happier today than having you give me away," she said as she tucked the handkerchief back in his pocket and curled her hand into the crook of his elbow.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to come around."

"All that matters is that you got here in time."

"Shall we?"

"Yes, please. Let's go."

Minutes before he was due in the great room, Reid wrestled with an uncooperative cufflink.

Buddy came to the rescue. "Allow me."

"What're you doing down here? You're supposed to be with Kate."

"Her daddy relieved me."

"Did he? Oh, that's great news."

Buddy finished with the cufflink and took it upon himself to straighten Reid's tie. "He took his own sweet time getting onboard, didn't he?"

"Doesn't matter now. He's here, he's giving her away and that's all I care about."

"Ya look real good, not that you don't always. G.o.dd.a.m.ned ageless freak."

"I love you, too," Reid said with a laugh.

"I do love you, brother. You know that, right?"

"That's one thing I've never doubted in my entire life."

"Mama loved the corsage you sent her."

"She's the closest thing to a mother I have left."

"It was a nice thing to do. Made her cry."

"Aww, isn't she sweet?"

Ashton came into the room, carrying a white box. "For the groom."

"Need me to put that on for you?" Buddy asked. To Ashton, he said, "I had to dress his a.s.s."

"One cufflink," Reid said.

"I'll take care of it," Ashton said. "In fact, Buddy, I know you're the one he actually asked, but if it's all the same to you-"

"Say no more. It's a good thing my ego is nice and healthy, because it sure is taking a beating around here."

"Second time he got fired today," Reid told Ashton.

"You could do with a little humility," Ashton said to his G.o.dfather, who guffawed and flipped him the bird on the way out of the room. "I hope that was okay," Ashton said as he pinned a white rose to Reid's lapel.

"It was more than okay. As much as I love Buddy, there's no one I'd rather have stand beside me today than you."

"I had a feeling that might be the case." He brushed some lint off the arm of Reid's dark suit. "I was hoping you might return the favor next summer."

"Really?"

Ashton smiled and nodded. "I asked her last night, and she said yes."

"Aw, son, I'm so happy for you." He drew Ashton into a hug, mindful of not crus.h.i.+ng the flower.

"Thanks, Dad. Check us out-marrying sisters."

"That'll give the tabloids something to talk about."

"Let 'em talk. Happy birthday, by the way. I meant to say that earlier."

"Thanks. Just what I needed-to get even older, today of all days."

Ashton laughed.

"But it made sense to do it when her family was going to be here anyway." Reid paused and glanced at his son, so young and handsome with his whole life before him. "Listen, son, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Sure. Whatever you need."

"It's kind of a big deal."

"Okay..."

"So, you know, Kate doesn't like to talk about the fact that she'll probably have a lot of years without me."

"I don't want to talk about that either. Especially not today."

"I know, but here's the thing... She's pregnant with a baby we both want very much."

"Oh. I wondered if you guys would have kids."

"I know it's a lot to lay on you when you've been my only child for so long-"

"In case you failed to notice, I'm a big boy now, Dad. I think I can handle it."

Reid smiled, amused and moved by Ashton's support. "If the day comes when I can't be there for them-"

"I will be. As of today, they're both family to me. You don't have to ask."

Reid hugged him again. "Your mom would be so proud of you. I sure am."

"I never get tired of hearing that."

"We should probably get out there so Kate doesn't think I stood her up."

"We can't have that."

Reid gestured for his son to lead the way and followed him out of the bedroom. In the great room, every seat was taken and a hush fell over the guests when he and Ashton walked to the front of the gathering and shook hands with Reid's longtime friend, Superior Court Judge William Branch, who was officiating.

Buddy's girls were first down the stairs. They were beautiful in fancy red dresses and were accompanied by Kate's brothers Rob, John and Nick. Eric and Max had begged to be left out of the wedding party, and Kate had reluctantly agreed.

Next came Maggie and then Jill, who shared a private smile with Ashton as she took her place across the aisle from where they waited for Kate.

She appeared at the top of the stairs on the arm of her father, looking radiant and happy and absolutely gorgeous.

Ashton nudged him. "Breathe."

Until that moment, Reid hadn't realized he was holding his breath. It wasn't the first time she'd taken his breath away and he'd wager it wouldn't be the last. And then she was there before him, looking up at him with those dazzling blue eyes. He shook hands with her father, who took a seat in the front row between his wife and Kate's mother, both of whom extended a hand to him.

"Happy birthday," Kate said with a smile.

He leaned in to kiss her. "Best birthday of my life."

"Not yet," Judge Branch said to laughter from the guests.

Since nothing else about their relations.h.i.+p had been traditional, they'd decided to go with traditional vows that they recited with prompting from Judge Branch. Rings were exchanged, and then the judge was p.r.o.nouncing them husband and wife, and Reid was kissing her, his wife. Kate... At long last, his wife.

Only when he felt her fingertips on his face did he realize he was crying-and so was she. He gathered her into his arms and held on tight while she did the same. When he released her, her smile rea.s.sured him and the squeeze of her hand in his grounded him.

Surrounded by family and friends, they received congratulations, hugs and kisses. And Kate never let go of his hand.

At her request, Buddy and Taylor sang their blockbuster duet, "My One and Only Love," while Reid and Kate had their first dance and Mr. and Mrs. They toasted their wedding as well as Jill and Ashton's engagement and Maggie's new job. Waiters circulated with an endless stream of hor's d'oeuvres and champagne.

They posed for countless family pictures with the photographer Kate had hired to doc.u.ment the day.

After they cut their cake, Ashton clinked a spoon against a crystal champagne gla.s.s to quiet the gathering. "Tradition dictates that the best man say a few words about the bride and groom," he said when he had their attention. "And I couldn't miss the opportunity to roast my dad a bit."

"Oh great," Reid said to laughter.

Ashton smiled. "Just kidding about the roast, but I do want to say that no kid could've asked for more in a father than what I had with mine. He was mom and dad to me and managed to fill both roles effortlessly, even though I know how hard it must've been to raise me on his own. Since I've been grown up, he's filled the roles of best friend, fis.h.i.+ng buddy and occasional drinking buddy. My dad and I have a good time together, and we always have. Kate, I want to welcome you and your extremely large family to our family. I've never been a part of a Christmas quite like this one, and I hope it's the first of many that the Harringtons and Matthews will spend together. Help me to congratulate Reid and Kate. May today be the first day of a long and happy life together."

"I'll definitely drink to that," Kate said, touching her crystal gla.s.s of ice water against his gla.s.s of champagne.

"Hear, hear," Reid said, kissing her.

At six o'clock Reid told her it was time to head into town. While Kate was looking forward to some alone time with her new husband, she wasn't ready yet to say good-bye to her family, who'd be heading home in the morning. The time together had gone by far too quickly in Kate's opinion.

"We'll do it again next year," Andi a.s.sured her with a hug. "Dad and I will host."

"And back here again the year after?" Kate asked.

"Sounds like a plan to me," her mom said. "You were a wonderful hostess and a beautiful bride. None of us will soon forget this Christmas."

"Thank you, Mom."

Kate was in tears by the time she said good-bye to her dad and Aidan, Jamie, Frannie, her grandparents, the Booths and all the kids. Last in line were her sisters, who waited patiently for Kate to get to them.

"Thanks for all you did to make this happen," Kate said to Jill when she hugged her. "I'll be right there for you when it's your turn."

"I know that. Go be happy. That's how you can thank me."

"And you," Kate said to Maggie. "We'll be seeing you soon, right?"

"I'll be back as soon as I can give notice at my job and pack up my apartment."